3 plead not guilty to charges connected to viral shark-dragging case

TAMPA — The three men accused of dragging a shark behind a boat in a viral video that caused an outcry among animal rights advocates entered not guilty pleas in Manatee County on Wednesday.

The men were not in court and their lawyers entered the pleas on their behalf, attorney Stephen Crawford said by phone shortly after the brief hearing.

Crawford is representing Michael Wenzel, 21, of Palmetto, who was captain of the boat. Also charged are Robert Lee "Bo" Benac III, 28, of Bradenton, and Spencer Heintz, 23, also of Palmetto.

Wenzel is a friend of MTV reality show Siesta Key star Alex Kompothecras, which pushed the video even more into the headlines. Another video surfaced that appeared to show Kompothecras shooting a hammerhead shark.

The dragging video first came to light in July after it was sent a celebrity shark hunter. Even he posted he had issues with how the shark was shown repeatedly smacking against the water as the men in the video laughed.

It took four months for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to investigate and bring charges. They determined the dragging took place on June 26 in state waters off Egmont Key, which put it in Hillsborough County’s jurisdiction.